Witt Ante Provides Rare Upset on Louisiana Day

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(from Fair Grounds report)
On a Louisiana Champions Day that produced mostly odds-on favorite winners, Witt Ante stole the show with a gutsy gate-to-wire performance in the $150,000 Classic Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Guided by Tracy Hebert, Witt Ante broke running from his rail post, opening up a sizable lead on the rest of the field while carving out quick fractions of :46.49 for the half mile and 1:11.95 for six furlongs. Despite the quick pace, Witt Ante had plenty left in the tank to remain clear to the wire with out ever being seriously challenged, winning in 1:52 flat for the 1 1/8-mile event.

Dismissed as the sixth choice in the wagering, Witt Ante returned $18.60 for the win.

"(Trainer Larry) Robideaux told me before the race that this was the most aggressive he has ever been in the paddock," said Hebert. "I didn't want to warm him up too hard because we were fearful that we might use him up. I really thought I was going too fast, but sometimes the horses chasing the leader get just as tired. My horse kept his stride and won the race."

Screen Idol finished best of the rest to be second. Spritely Walker, the defending champ and 7-5 choice, out-finished Meteor Impact for the show spot.

Witt Ante, who won the Louisiana Futurity and Crescent City Derby two years ago at Fair Grounds, boosted his career earnings to $479,357 with the win for Robideaux and owner David Beard.

"I didn't think he could go that fast and hold on," Robideaux said. "I told Tracy that if (Nitro Chip) didn't make the lead, to take the race to them, and that is exactly what Tracy did."
(Chart, Equibase)

Witt Ante was one of the few surprises to find the winner's circle Saturday, at least in the view of the betting public. Happy Ticket in the Ladies, Crimson Stag in the Juvenile and Mr. Sulu in the Turf went off at less than even money.

In the Turf, Mr. Sulu proved again his dominance over Louisiana-breds, winning this event for the second time with a decisive 3 1/2-length win over 11 familiar foes.

Ridden by Robby Albarado, the 6-year-old son of Rail displayed a powerful turn of foot in the stretch of 1 1/16-mile event over the Stall-Wilson course, pulling away from runner-up Little Happy, who was a head clear of Spruce's Prince. The final time was 1:43.86 over the firm going.

Trained by Josie Carroll, Mr. Sulu ($3.80) moved his career earnings to $446,732 for owners A.L. McMurray and Carroll. Mr. Sulu, who also won the 2001 renewal of the Turf, has finished in the money in each of the last four runnings of this event.
(Chart, Equibase)

In the Ladies, Happy Ticket kept her unblemished record intact, turning in another dominating performance. Ridden by Lonnie Meche, the 3-year-old daughter of Anet settled directly behind pacesetter Destiny Calls, who moved off the rail slightly as they straightened for home and opened up a hole on the rail for Happy Ticket.

The brilliant filly exploded through it and left the field in her wake, drawing away to a four-length victory. Destiny Calls out-gamed Legs O'Neal for the place spot.

Trained by Andy Leggio, Happy Ticket ($2.80) completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.29. The Stewart Madison homebred is a perfect 7-for-7 lifetime with earnings of $247,260.
(Chart, Equibase)

Crimson Stag didn't disappoint in the Juvenile, cruising to a 3 1/2-length victory in the six-furlong event for 2-year-olds.

With Albarado aboard, the Glitterman colt was in contention throughout, battling it out with Robbeau and St. Roch on the front end before drawing away from those rivals in the stretch to hit the wire in 1:10.76. Robbeau finished 1 3/4-lengths ahead of St. Roch to claim second.

Trained by Dallas Stewart, Crimson Stag ($3.80) earned $60,000 for the win for owners West Point Thoroughbreds.
(Chart, Equibase)

Equestrian Girls was not an odds-on choice, but used a strong closing kick to win the $100,000 Lassie by 2 3/4-lengths over Indigo Girl.

Ridden by John Jacinto, the 2-year-old daughter of Leestown settled in fourth position down the backstretch before pouncing on the pacesetting duo of Forty Babes and Indigo Girl as the field straightened for home. She swerved out in deep stretch after taking control, stopping the clock in 1:11.78 for six furlongs.

Equestrian Girls ($8) won for the third time in six starts for trainer Kelly Broussard, boosting her career earnings to $115,820 for owner John Aertker III.
(Chart, Equibase)

Archival provided the biggest shocker of the day, breaking sharply from the far outside and taking the $100,000 Sprint gate to wire at odds of 32-1.

Ridden by Donnie Meche, the 4-year-old son of Bayou Hebert ran six furlongs in 1:10.63, and returned $67.20 to win in capturing his first career stakes event. Lac Laronge finished three-quarters of a length back in the runner-up spot.

Trained by Todd Meachum, Archival had won his last two starts entering the Sprint, including winning a quarter horse heat at Louisiana Downs in his last start prior to Saturday.
(Chart, Equibase)

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